Children's Food Campaign slams Nestlé's refusal to change unhealthy cereal products

Campaigners at the Children's Food Campaign are appalled by Nestl�'s statement yesterday on industry news website Food and Drink Europe that it will not ditch many of its unhealthiest cereals. 

Children's Food Campaign joint coordinator Christine Haigh said:

�This announcement shows that Nestl�'s claim to be �the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness company� is pure spin.   Many of Nestl�'s cereal products, such as Cheerios and Shreddies, are high in sugar which contributes to obesity, tooth decay and a range of other health problems.  Yet while Nestl� try to win kudos for their commitment to health, they quietly let it be known through trade websites that they are still going to promote high sugar cereals, many of which are aimed at children.�

She continued: �Nestl�'s action shows it is no use asking the food industry nicely to change its ways.  If the Government is serious about improving health they must use their powers to regulate.  A good start would be expelling Nestl� from the anti-obesity Change4Life campaign.�

Ends.

For further information please contact: Richard Watts, Campaigns Director, Sustain.  Mob: 07710 782719 or tel: 0203 5596 777.

Notes to editors:

1. Nestl�'s statement that it will continue to provide �sweeter, more taste-focused products� can be found at industry news website Food and Drink Europe: Food and Drink Europe website  
2.  Nestl� Cocoa Shreddies are almost 30% sugar per 100g; Nestl�'s Multi-Grain Cheerios are 21.6% sugar, while Nestl�'s Original Shreddies are 15.5% sugar.  All these products would be award a red light for sugar, indicating high levels according to the Food Standard's Agency's traffic light labelling scheme.
3. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey found that 86 per cent of children consume too much sugar.
4. Nestl� is a partner in the Government's Change4Life campaign, which aims to reduce obesity.  One of the aims of the Change4Life campaign is to persuade more people to eat regular meals, including a healthy breakfast.
5. The Children's Food Campaign works to improve children's health and well-being through better food - and food teaching - in schools, and protecting children from junk food marketing.  We are supported by over 300 national and local organisations and 12,000 members of the public.  The Children's Food Campaign is coordinated by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming and is funded by the British Heart Foundation.